Rune
Lore

Runes
for Wisdom and Active Magic

The
runes were an ancient Germanic alphabet, used in
northern Europe from at least the second century
CE, into early modern times. They were very likely
derived from alphabets used in northern Italy
during early Roman times. As the Germanic languages
diversified, so too the runes used to write them
changed, with somewhat different versions being
used in Iceland, Scandinavia, Germany, and
England.

Runes
have always carried an aura of magic and mystery.
We know they were used to cast spells or protect
special items, and some references suggest
divinatory uses as well. Alas, we do not know
anything very specific about the particular
meanings or uses of each rune in ancient times. In
fact, the mystique surrounding them may simply
reflect the awe with which writing was regarded in
the largely illiterate cultures of the
time.

When
using runes for divination or magic, modern
practitioners must rely mostly on the names of the
runes, and the three rune poems that have come down
to us from different times and places. The poems
and names served as mnemonic devices, helping
scribes to learn their art. They are also, however,
a wonderful window on the old Germanic cultures,
carrying memories of the objects, creatures, and
gods that moved through the lives of the people who
first used the runes so many centuries ago. When
interpreted symbolically, the runes connect us with
the primal energies of life, as experienced by our
pagan ancestors.

Although
runes have been popularized as a divination tool,
they are also excellent for active magic. A rune on
an amulet, carved into a spell candle, or adorning
an altar adds its unique energy to your endeavors
and helps them manifest.